Best Large Grants for Nonprofit Organizations in Indiana

Central Indiana Community Foundation

Powered by generosity, passion, and innovative collaboration, Hamilton County Community Foundation brings together the strengths of our community to solve our most pressing challenges.

Hamilton County Community Foundation Strategic Grants

The Funding Opportunity

Strategic Grants provide larger, targeted investments in initiatives designed to create meaningful, long-term impact in Hamilton County. This funding pathway supports organizations pursuing significant opportunities—such as scaling proven programs, strengthening organizational capacity, or advancing transformational projects—in alignment with HCCF’s priority areas.

Strategic Grants may also support organizations navigating significant funding disruptions, where a targeted investment can help stabilize operations, preserve critical services, or position the organization for long-term sustainability.

What is Funded

Strategic Grants support high-impact opportunities that are significant in scope and positioned for long-term community benefit. Funding may include:

• Organizational capacity-building and expansion
• Transformational or large-scale community initiatives
• Capital campaigns (matching funds required)
• Time-sensitive opportunities to stabilize operations following the loss of significant funding

The Process

Strategic Grants are offered through an invitation-only process. HCCF proactively engages organizations whose work aligns with this funding pathway and demonstrates strong potential to create lasting community impact.

In prioritizing invitations, HCCF often considers organizations with a history of partnership or prior funding, while also remaining responsive to emerging opportunities and community needs.

Organizations that have not received an invitation but believe their work aligns with the goals of Strategic Grants may submit a brief request for special consideration. Due to the limited and highly targeted nature of this funding opportunity, submission of this form does not guarantee an invitation to apply.

About Us

Alpha Omega Alpha, founded in 1902, is the national medical honor society. Its mission is: dedicated to the belief that in the profession of medicine we will improve care for all by:

• recognizing high educational achievement;
• honoring gifted teaching;
• encouraging the development of leaders in academia and the community;
• supporting the ideals of humanism; and
• promoting service to others.

Medical Student Service Leadership Project Grant

AΩA is committed to preparing future leaders in medicine and health care. Leadership is about making a positive difference and can be developed through education, observation, experience, and by working with leader mentors. Service learning provides excellent opportunities for students to develop as servant leaders. Only one team from each school may be nominated.The Grant

The grant is a $9,000, two-year grant – $5,000 the first year, and $4,000 the second year. The grant will be paid to the sponsoring institution. 

The IECA Foundation Grant offers up to $5,000 to nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that assist underserved youth and young adults in achieving their educational goals. The Foundation prioritizes projects that demonstrate measurable impact and align with its mission of fostering positive outcomes through personalized support and community engagement. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits with an annual budget of $1 million or less, focusing on innovative, project-based initiatives.

The Economic Research Rescue Fund, established by the Social Science Research Council (SSRC), provides emergency grants up to $250,000 for economics-related research projects whose NSF funding has been terminated. This initiative aims to support Principal Investigators facing disruptions in crucial research that holds significant societal benefits, amidst reduced NSF support. Eligible projects must have previously received NSF funding and be linked to a practicing PhD economist. This fund seeks to sustain vital economic research during challenging times.

The Cole Center Family YMCA Capital Fund aims to enhance community well-being by providing essential support for capital projects and repairs at the Cole Center YMCA facilities. Established in 1997, the fund reflects the YMCA's commitment to serve individuals of all backgrounds, promoting healthy living through diverse programs that foster community engagement and inclusivity. By leveraging generous donations, the fund plays a vital role in ensuring the YMCA can continue its mission of positive change in Noble County.

Village of the Living Dead Kenneth Fulton Memorial Scholarship

Kenneth Fulton was a member of the St. Charles Haunted House since its very beginning in 1985 until his passing at the haunted house in 1998. He volunteered and also brought along with him his kids and brothers to volunteer as well. Ken was a quiet gentle man that loved what the haunted house stood for and who it was all about – the kids. His favorite character to play was Michael Myers. He was tall and quiet and was able to scare the patrons with his eerie silence. He loved the members of the haunted house as his own family. He is greatly missed and would be so proud to be a part of this scholarship.  

Evaluation Criteria

• Community service (50)
• Financial need (25)
• Letters of recommendation from two volunteer organizations (13)
• Extracurricular/school activities (12)

The Simons Foundation's Scientific Software Research Faculty Award supports faculty positions focusing on scientific software development in mathematics and physics. It aims to enhance research capabilities by providing five years of salary support and a $50,000 yearly research allowance. Awardees must have a Ph.D. and demonstrate leadership in scientific software. This initiative addresses the career limitations faced by software experts and encourages applications from underrepresented groups.

Summary of County Services

Services county MUST provide:

• Establish and maintain local health departments, jails and courthouses.
• Provide emergency medical services through an advisory council.
• Authorize the issuance of bonds to fund road and bridge projects.

Non-profit Grant

Program Description

Hamilton County provides discretionary grants for nonprofit organizations that meet certain criteria. Awards are provided based on application score and funding available. The Grant Program is intended to provide funding for services provided by organizations that without providing those services the County Hospital and/or other governmental entity may need to consider the development of such programming.

Any funds awarded must be supported by other funding sources or documented in-kind services and may only be distributed to organizations headquartered in Hamilton County. Preference for funding will go to those organizations that provide services in furtherance of County goals and without the providing of these services the County Hospital and/or other governmental entity may need to consider the development of such programming.

The Alfred P. Sloan Economics Grant Program aims to provide essential public goods through innovative research that enhances U.S. economic progress. With a focus on equity and technological advancement, the program supports projects addressing pressing economic issues, such as competitiveness, regional development, and the economics of caregiving. By fostering rigorous, unbiased research, the foundation seeks to empower communities and inform policy, ultimately improving quality of life across the nation.

The Rise for Education Grant Program offers funding for hydroponic classroom gardens that enhance STEM education and nutrition. This initiative encourages hands-on learning, integrating STEM and arts through practical gardening projects. Eligible applicants include schools, homeschooling families, and educational organizations. The program fosters community building and entrepreneurship via activities like Farmer's Markets, while boosting student engagement and developing essential skills. By implementing this program, educators can create an engaging and interactive learning environment year-round.

The Albert J. Beveridge Grant for Research in the Western Hemisphere, awarded by the American Historical Association, supports research on the history of the United States, Canada, and Latin America. Grants, funded by the Beveridge Memorial Fund, are available annually and can cover various research expenses, including travel and access fees. Preference is given to advanced doctoral students and non-tenured faculty. Eligibility is limited to AHA members, ensuring a focus on high-quality historical scholarship.

American Physical Society

The American Physical Society is a nonprofit membership organization working to advance physics by fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and global community dedicated to science and society. APS represents more than 50,000 members, including physicists in academia, national laboratories, and industry in the United States and around the world.

APS Honors recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of the global physics community. Guided by our core values, APS Honors encourages nominations that reflect the full range of talent, distinction, and experience in our field, and supports broad canvassing for professional achievement across diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise.

Polymer Physics Prize

To recognize outstanding accomplishment and excellence of contributions in polymer physics research. The prize consists of $10,000, up to $1,500 in travel reimbursement, and a certificate citing the contributions made by the recipient. It is presented annually.

Nominations will be considered for three review cycles provided the nominator re-certifies the nomination before the next deadline.

American Physical Society

The American Physical Society is a nonprofit membership organization working to advance physics by fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and global community dedicated to science and society. APS represents more than 50,000 members, including physicists in academia, national laboratories, and industry in the United States and around the world.

APS Honors recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of the global physics community. Guided by our core values, APS Honors encourages nominations that reflect the full range of talent, distinction, and experience in our field, and supports broad canvassing for professional achievement across diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise.

Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Physics Prize

The Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Physics Prize recognizes and encourages outstanding theoretical or experimental contributions to condensed matter physics. The prize consists of $20,000 and a certificate citing the contributions made by the recipient or recipients. It will be awarded annually.

Nominations will be considered for three review cycles provided the nominator re-certifies the nomination before the next deadline.

American Physical Society

The American Physical Society is a nonprofit membership organization working to advance physics by fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and global community dedicated to science and society. APS represents more than 50,000 members, including physicists in academia, national laboratories, and industry in the United States and around the world.

APS Honors recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of the global physics community. Guided by our core values, APS Honors encourages nominations that reflect the full range of talent, distinction, and experience in our field, and supports broad canvassing for professional achievement across diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise.

Edward A. Bouchet Award

This award promotes the participation of underrepresented minorities in physics by identifying and recognizing a distinguished minority physicist who has made significant contributions to physics research and the advancement of underrepresented minority scientists. The program will help publicize the lecturer's work and career development to the physics community, especially among minority physics students. The Lectureship consists of a stipend of $5,000 plus support for travel to an APS meeting where the recipient will receive the award and give a presentation. In addition, the lecturer should arrange to give up to three additional talks at academic institutions where the impact of the visit on minority students would be significant. The purpose of these visits would be to deliver technical lectures or lectures about his/her specialty, to visit classrooms when appropriate, to assist the college/university in pre-college outreach efforts where appropriate, and to talk informally with both faculty and students about research and teaching careers in physics. Financial support will also be provided for travel to these lectures. It will be presented annually.

The ASPCA Research Grants support innovative research aimed at enhancing animal welfare. With a total funding amount of $440,000, the grants are open to various research areas including cruelty research, access to veterinary care, applied behavior, psychological trauma, and farm animal welfare. Eligible applicants include U.S. public or private entities and Canadian universities. The maximum individual grant amounts vary by research area, encouraging impactful studies that directly benefit animals.

American Physical Society

The American Physical Society is a nonprofit membership organization working to advance physics by fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and global community dedicated to science and society. APS represents more than 50,000 members, including physicists in academia, national laboratories, and industry in the United States and around the world.

APS Honors recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of the global physics community. Guided by our core values, APS Honors encourages nominations that reflect the full range of talent, distinction, and experience in our field, and supports broad canvassing for professional achievement across diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise.

Norman F. Ramsey Prize in Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics, and in Precision Tests of Fundamental Laws and Symmetries

The Norman F. Ramsey Prize in Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics, and in Precision Tests of Fundamental Laws and Symmetries recognizes outstanding accomplishments in the two fields of Norman Ramsey: atomic, molecular, and optical physics; and precision tests of fundamental laws and symmetries. The Prize consists of a $10,000 check, a certificate citing accomplishments, and travel support for the recipient to attend the DAMOP annual meeting at which the prize is presented.

Nominations will be considered for three review cycles provided the nominator re-certifies the nomination before the next deadline. 

The Rapoport Doctoral Dissertation Grants support PhD students conducting innovative research in American political behavior. Funded by the Rapoport Family Foundation, the grants offer up to $15,000 for survey research. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in a doctoral program at an accredited U.S. university and have completed all preliminary requirements. The foundation emphasizes originality and transformative potential in research proposals, aiming to foster diverse approaches to understanding political behavior.

Dearborn Community Foundation

The Dearborn Community Foundation, Inc., (DCF) is a community foundation, tax-exempt public charity that enables individuals, families, businesses and organizations to fulfill their charitable wishes. DCF builds and safeguards endowments for the community through contributions large and small. The endowment contributions are permanently invested to produce earnings so that these charitable funds make a difference in our community now and forever.

DCF Grants 

The Dearborn Community Foundation, Inc., (DCF) has awarded more than $33 million in grants since 1997. The grants support the needs/interests of the community in the fields of Art, Culture and Humanities, Community and Public Benefit, Education, Public Safety, Environment and Animal Protection, Human Services, and Youth Programs.

City of Lawrenceburg Community Grant Program (LCGP) - Phase II

The City of Lawrenceburg has generously provided funds for the Lawrenceburg Community Grant Program. The program is specifically for non-profit, IRS tax exempt organizations that provide a benefit, direct or indirect, to the Lawrenceburg community and Dearborn County.

LCGP Specific Guidelines

• grant funds are not granted to sustain ongoing projects/programs;
• grant applications will be considered as long as funds are available;
• organizations may not apply for any property improvements (buildings, fencing etc. …) to land not owned by the organization seeking the grant funds

The ACS Award in Pure Chemistry recognizes early career researchers for their outstanding contributions to fundamental research in pure chemistry. Established in 1931, the award includes a $5,000 prize and reimbursement for up to $1,000 in travel expenses to the award presentation meeting. Nominees must have less than 10 years of experience since their terminal degree and demonstrate exceptional research merit. Special consideration is given to originality and independence of thought in submitted research.

Tipton County Foundation

Since its founding in 1986, the civic-spirited volunteers responsible for TCF’s Board leadership, fund-raising, investment decisions, and grantmaking have built a substantial endowment that will never be spent. The income earned from investments is used to help meet Tipton County’s charitable needs– from social services for youth and senior citizens, to art, culture, education, recreation, historical preservation, animal welfare, and community development projects of all types. TCF is also a conduit for individual support of organizations, receiving non-endowed contributions that are earmarked and sometimes matched for local needs.

General Grants

The Foundation has two annual General Grant cycles, where almost anyone doing charitable work in Tipton County can apply. Typically, applicants are 501c3 organizations (or government entities) running a project or program which directly impacts Tipton County Citizens, but unofficial groups, service clubs, and other non-501 organizations may inquire as well.

The Economics program by the National Science Foundation supports research to enhance understanding of the U.S. economy and global systems. It prioritizes interdisciplinary studies and encourages diverse proposals, including those from junior faculty and underrepresented groups. Funding opportunities range from individual projects to doctoral dissertation improvement grants, emphasizing rigorous economic analysis and data collection. The program aims to strengthen links between economics and other disciplines, fostering innovative research in various economic subfields.

The AHRQ Health Services Research Dissertation Program (R36) provides crucial funding for doctoral candidates engaged in health services research. This program aims to support individuals in their academic pursuits, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to the field of healthcare. By fostering innovative research, AHRQ enhances the quality of health services and promotes evidence-based practices. Applications are due by 5:00 PM local time, ensuring timely submissions for those seeking to advance their academic careers.

The Toor Scholarship for Strong Public-School Libraries, established by the Toor Family, honors the legacy of Jay and Ruth Toor, who advocated for state-certified librarians in every school. This scholarship supports U.S. public school librarians who create local marketing campaigns to promote their libraries as vital community resources. Each recipient receives a $1,000 stipend to attend the AASL National Conference and must present their project, contributing to the advancement of school librarianship.

The ABC-CLIO Leadership Grant supports AASL Chapters in developing leadership programs for school library associations at various levels. This grant encourages initiatives that engage new members, train current leaders, and foster collaboration among organizations. Successful applications clearly define program objectives, participant groups, and include well-structured budgets and evaluation plans. The grant aims to promote innovative leadership approaches that can be replicated by other chapters, enhancing the overall effectiveness of school libraries.

American Physical Society

The American Physical Society is a nonprofit membership organization working to advance physics by fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and global community dedicated to science and society. APS represents more than 50,000 members, including physicists in academia, national laboratories, and industry in the United States and around the world.

APS Honors recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of the global physics community. Guided by our core values, APS Honors encourages nominations that reflect the full range of talent, distinction, and experience in our field, and supports broad canvassing for professional achievement across diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise.

Max Delbrück Prize in Biological Physics

To recognize and encourage outstanding achievement in biological physics research. The prize consists of $10,000, an allowance for travel to attend the meeting at which the prize is awarded, and a certificate citing the contributions made by the recipient or recipients. It is presented annually.

Prior to 2008, this prize was awarded as the Biological Physics Prize.

Nominations will be considered for three review cycles provided the nominator re-certifies the nomination before the next deadline.

The Dave Dowling Scholarship, offered by the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, supports aspiring students in horticulture or floriculture. With an award of $1,000 each for two promising candidates, this scholarship encourages young individuals to pursue careers in cut flower production. Successful applicants also receive a one-year ASCFG membership, fostering community and educational opportunities. This initiative aims to advance the domestic cut flower industry by nurturing the next generation of growers.

The Peter G. Peterson Foundation Grant aims to address America's long-term fiscal challenges by promoting awareness and encouraging action. The Foundation supports innovative projects that align with its mission, particularly those by U.S.-based 501(c)(3) non-profits capable of national impact. Eligible applicants should have a minimum two-year existence and an annual budget of at least $1 million. The Foundation avoids funding organizations outside the U.S. or those involved in political activities.